Senior Spotlight

Kailey Conway

Graduation date: May 2019 Major/Option/Minor: Agribusiness: Banking & Finance with Animal Science and Nebraska Beef Industry Scholars minors Future Plans: Feedlot Management

What have you gained from being in Block and Bridle?

Leadership skills, industry connections, and lifelong friendships.

Favorite Block and Bridle event/activity and why?

Big Red Beef Show because it brings together our students and the industry. We are given the chance to connect with professional adults to fundraise and put the show together. We interact with students and children who will be the future of the agriculture industry.

Rachelle Allen

Graduation date: May 2019 Major/Option/Minor: Agricultural Education--Teaching Option--Animal Science Future Plans: I will use my degree to help grow and develop the York Public Schools Agricultural Program, as I recently accepted a teaching position there. Through my teaching, I will help students grades 6-12 become better prepared for a career, more informed as a consumer and proficient in leadership skills. What have you gained from being in Block and Bridle? Block and Bridle provided an experience for me that was second to none. The framework of Block and Bridle sets its members up for success by offering countless opportunities for involvement and leadership. Pursuing leadership roles in this organization was one of the best decisions I ever made. These leadership roles gave me experiences, connections and friendships that will benefit me forever! Favorite Block and Bridle event/activity and why? My favorite Block and Bridle event is for sure Little AKSARBEN. I have been heavily involved with the committees that have been tasked to bring back this event the past three years and it has been amazing to witness its growth! This past year I served as a co-committee chair for this event with Kurt Nelson. We helped grow the event’s participation as well as gained financial sponsorship and involvement from outside businesses. Although this event takes a lot of volunteer time, I find it the most rewarding to see experienced showman excel as well as new showman learn and experience the industry. I can’t wait to see the future success this event has the potential to have!

Lexi Ostrand

Senior Spotlight

Graduation date: May 2019 Major/Option/Minor: Animal Science-Veterinary Science Option, Leadership and Entrepreneurship Minor Future Plans: As of right now, the plan is to pursue my Master’s Degree in Quantitative Breeding and Genetics and eventually end up back in Northeast Nebraska so that I can continue my family’s breeding sheep program.

What have you gained from being in Block

and Bridle? I have gained a broader network of individuals as well as many opportunities to learn how to communicate effectively and efficiently with an array of individuals across various facets of the animal industry.

Favorite Block and Bridle event/activity and

why? My favorite Block and Bridle event/activity is the Honoree Banquet because it brings together students, faculty and staff, industry leaders, and the families of all of those individuals. After being on the planning side of things last year and sending out the invitations/making name tags, it really is incredible how many individuals we are able to bring together to celebrate the honoree and the members.